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Episode 138 - The 12 Dogs of Christmas and Roann's Dog Therapy Team

138_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sat November 24, 2012
Length: 0:52:09
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The 12 Dogs of Christams (Part 1)

She got bored and so she turned over the place mat and started drawing dogs. Then she took the very famous song The 12 Days of Christmas and turned it into The 12 Dogs of Christmas.
 - Ken Kragen

Ken Kragen is an amazing man with many strings to his bow, but in this interview he talks about one of his major interests - dogs. Ken's daughter Emma was bored at a Christmas party when she doodled on the back of a place mat and came up with a doggy version of a popular Christmas song - The Twelve Dogs of Christmas. Ken talks with humour about how this doodle became a book, which then became a film, and there is now a sequel - The Twelve Dogs of Christmas 2 : The Great Puppy Rescue. You can hear behind the scenes stories of the challenges of making the movies, as well as something of the plot of the films. If you're looking for a way to get in the festive mood and see some gorgeous dogs as well, check out The 12 Dogs of Christmas.

 

Ken Kragen is is an author, speaker, non-profit consultant, TV and film producer and music manager - he's managed Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers amongst many others. In 1985 Ken organised much of the talent who appeared on the We Are the World single and album, and in the associated concert. Ken also manages to fit in a passion for calligraphy and astronomy, and of course spending time with his beloved Boxer dogs.

Roann's Dog Therapy Team

It really is all about having fun with your dogs, even if you've got a problem, the way to come through it is to have fun with it while you're learning, because humour always relaxes, stress always makes things worse.
 - Anne Browning

Anne Browning and Roland Marks have combined their skills to form Roann's Dog Therapy Team. Julie spent a day with them and talked to them about their team approach and the therapies and classes they offer. The Roann team emphasises that humour is a great asset in dog training, and that although some people are quite anxious about attending a class, particularly if their dog has problems, that it is a very positive and supportive environment. Anne encourages interaction between the dogs in her classes, and uses the responses of her own team of Border Collies to help assess dogs. Sam a charming Border Collie who helps with dogs with particular problems had a bad start in life, but has found his perfect niche with Anne and Roland. You can hear Anne giving advice to a family about their puppy, and she also talks about how she uses a treadmill - and sometimes an underwater treadmill - to help with physical and behaviour issues. The team approach seems a great idea, and you can find out more at the Roann's Dog Therapy Team website.

News

In the DogCast Radio News hear how PETA have been using children's love of their dogs to ditch the turkey for Thanksgiving in the U.S.A. and Canada, how a hawk badly damaged a Jack Russell Terrier during his walk, plus some happy celebratory stories from Australia.

Thanksgiving

And talking of thanksgiving, what are you most thankful for about your dog, and what do you think your dog is most thankful for?

Sharing

281 - dog AITA and am I being unreasonable

In this podcast, host Julie considers a variety of Reddit AITA questions, and Am I Being Unreasonable from Mumsnet. We have stories of a puppy biting a child at a family get together, the pet sitting friend who took the dog to doggy daycare, the rescue dog defender feeling the pressure to meet up for dog walks, the sister who caused trouble when she said her sister's baby name sounded like a dog's name, the devoted owner who ducked out of his brother's wedding to care for his injured dog, an off lead dog causing issues and two alleged service dogs joining at the children's playground. Do you agree with Julie's take on all these canine conundrums?

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.